More than 34,000 pounds of food was rescued and donated to local food pantries in 2022 because of efforts by Ottawa Food and Community Action House.

ARPA funding bolsters Ottawa Food’s efforts to rescue food for pantries

Ottawa Food's mission to rescue food and donate it to local food pantries will be aided by nearly $500,000 in ARPA money.

Call line staff working in the team room at Summit Pointe’s First Step Urgent Care.
Community mental health agency call lines connect Michiganders with local crisis care

A call to a local community mental health crisis line can sometimes be more direct and offer services that may not be available when calling 988 or MiCAL.

Downtown Allegan in Allegan County.
Local farmers to open beer and wine production facility, tasting room in downtown Allegan

"The enthusiasm to start a new business by young entrepreneurs like Ben and Katelyn and support from state agencies like the MEDC signifies the strong economic foundation that has been nurtured in Downtown Allegan over the past several years,” says Allegan City Manager Joel Dye.

Tina Swanton, Michigan Health Improvement Alliance (MiHIA) executive director of community impact and strategic partnerships, and MiHIA CEO Heidi Tracy at Hidden Harvest and East Side Soup Kitchen in Saginaw.
Despite agricultural hub, Michigan’s Thumb has high food insecurity. Can collaboration change that?

The Michigan Health Improvement Alliance is taking a new approach to addressing food insecurity in the 14 heavily agricultural counties it serves in central and eastern Michigan.

Downtown Allegan in Allegan County.
Local farmers to open beer and wine production facility, tasting room in downtown Allegan

"The enthusiasm to start a new business by young entrepreneurs like Ben and Katelyn and support from state agencies like the MEDC signifies the strong economic foundation that has been nurtured in Downtown Allegan over the past several years,” says Allegan City Manager Joel Dye.

Issue Media Group launches new publication ‘The Helm’’ serving Greater Sandusky Region

Issue Media Group is excited to announce the company’s latest online news platform – The Helm Sandusky. This publication will tell the stories of investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and individuals that are shaping the Greater Sandusky Ohio region.

The iBill Talking Banknote Identifier, is a small, handheld device that quickly identifies the bill’s denomination.
Currency readers available for Michiganders who are blind or visually impaired

Michiganders who are blind or visually impaired can now apply to receive an audible currency reader at no cost through the Michigan Braille and Talking Book Library.

An expanded Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center is expected to be completed in February 2023. (Safe Harbor CAC)
Safe Harbor expansion designed to improve service

Donations to the Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center’s new facility will be matched by a grant from the Allegan County Community Foundation. The goal is to raise $2.3 million. 

Ava Devanney with her exchange student, Montse Muralles at Windmill Island in Holland.
What caught my exchange student by surprise? snow

Ninth grader Ava Devanney writes about hosting an exchange student from Guatemala and the adventures they had, especially experiencing snow for the first time.

The Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing Park has reopened with special winter hours and offers snowshoe rentals. (Mike Lozon)
January Along the Lakeshore: MLK celebrations, museum exhibits and outdoor activities

Museum exhibits, outdoor activities, history programs, children’s projects, and concerts — January along The Lakeshore has it all.

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